After the decline of the great empire of the Gupta dynasty late in the 5th century, there was no other single great power in Northern India. Consequently, a large number of small independent kingdoms emerged in this region. One of these was the kingdom of Thaneshwar, in
Punjab. It was founded by a great devotee of
Lord Shiva, Pushpabhuti, from whom the dynasty derived its name. The first three rulers belonging to this dynasty were Naravardhana, Rajyavardhana and Adityavardhana. These kings ruled during the period 510-580. The next ruler in the line was Parbhakaravardhana who came to the throne in 580. Parbhakaravardhana, who began as the petty chief of a small kingdom, rose to pre-eminence by his military exploits and conquests of the neighboring kingdoms.
Next to succeed Parbhakaravardhana, was the greatest ruler of the times,
Harshavardhana. After Harshavardhana, the dyansty steadily declined in power.
